Edwin Henry Landseer Quotes

Edwin Henry Landseer was born in London in the spring of 1802 to an engraver father who encouraged him to follow his artistic nature. Young Edwin became an artistic prodigy whose talents were displayed at an art exhibition at the royal academy in 1815. His ability to capture animal anatomy in exact detail made him popular with royalty who wanted their pet dogs captured on canvas and this led to a number of further commissions from Queen Victoria including tasking Landseer with painting her portrait before her marriage to Prince Albert. He is also credited with giving life to the myth that St Bernard dogs patrol snowy mountains rescuing freezing souls with a casket of brandy around their necks after he painted in 1820 a pair of Alpine Mastifs rescuing a distressed traveller covered in snow. He was knighted as Sir Edwin Henry Landseer in 1850 and in 1858 he was commissioned with making his most famous piece of art; The four lions to stand guard at the foot of Nelsons Column. It was nine years until the lions were to be unveiled in 1867 and by this time he was suffering from ill health. After a long association with the Royal Academy he was elected its president in 1865 but he declined the invitation due to the onset of his health related issues. In his latter years he suffered from occasional madness that was exasperated by his penchant for alcohol. England mourned his death in October 1873 as large crowds gathered in the street to witness his funeral cortege on route to St Pauls Cathedral for burial. More noted for his painting than his talking he still came out with some memorable quotes so here is my compilation of twelve of the best Sir Edwin Henry Landseer quotes.

Mini Bio

Name: EdwinHenry Landseer

Born: 7th March 1802, London, England

Died: 1st October, 1873, London, England

Alma mater: The Royal Academy Art Schools

Occupation: Artist, painter and sculptor

Known for: Painting animals, portraits and the bronze sculptures of the four lions at the base of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square, London

Trivia: Lansdeer was ambidextrous to the point he could paint with both hands simultaneously

"It is quite time to give that Frenchman up"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"He only thinks of himself not the least feeling for art or the reputation of the author or authors - a heartless flattering humbug"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"I am still occupied at the Palace. Her Majesty is all whim and fancy"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"My first object in a bedroom is freedom of air and a comfortable lookout"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"There is a stern sincerity about Highland rocks, a sort of unadorned truth that you don't find in the rich combinations of the Banks of Conan - where everything is suggestive of comfort and tenderness"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"I have been further north this season and am a little crazy with the beauties of the Highlands"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"If people only knew as much about painting as I do, they would never buy my pictures"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"There would not be Peace unless Ireland were dipped in the sea like a tea sieve"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"They will not let me do much more than meditate in the old Studio"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"Today in spite of the wise men I have been at my Easel, and feel all the better for my little spell of work"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"Every day finds me weaker"

Edwin Henry Landseer

"Flogging would be mild compared to my sufferings"

Edwin Henry Landseer

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